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Friday, November 6, 2015

PERFECT DISTANCE VISION

I have memories from a few Christmas mornings long ago--when my children were young. They had lists which would have daunted the most generous Santa of all those "Things" they NEEDED Santa to bring. After some negotiation, the list was shortened, but not short by any means. With three children, the shopping flurry began immediately after Thanksgiving. Almost every wish was granted--but occasionally there might be one obscure item which was over-looked. Now mind you---it was NEVER the top of the listers---but usually something deep down in the list which Santa frankly just ran out of steam before gettting. Come Christmas morning--it was a flurry of racing through the gifts under the tree which would match any mass hysteria ever witnessed. Boxes are thrown, wrapping paper covers the floor, and ribbon hangs from the chandelier. My lovely sweet undemanding children are full of thanks and blown away by all they have been showered with--NOT. The focus is on the one obscure item which did not get put under the tree. "I thought Santa was going to bring me X--I really wanted that X--how could he have forgotten the X." SIGH---weeks of scouring the stores(pre on line shopping people)---and calling in orders to the mail order catalogs---and wrapping---and hiding---and---the response is not swept away in amazement by all they did have--but only dismay over the one toy they did not get. OK--in fairness---I have embellished the story---they were good kids---BUT I did hear some whining occasionally about something they really wanted and did not get--KEEP IN MIND--Writer's Discretion Always Wins!

I'll give the kids a break and tell a story on myself. I have a lovely home---but it only has one bathroom and I really want at least a bath and a half. The yard is beautiful, but it is so small that I am limited in how much I can plant. And the fireplace in the living room adds just the right touch to the room, but it is not a working fireplace and I miss my fires so much. And the front porch adds the perfect charm and I spend many an hour swinging with the grands and watching the hood, but I need a ceiling fan on the porch during the hot Texas summers. I drive a reliable little car which is almost 5 years old, I really would like a bigger later model car. Get out your fiddle for the Whine Down!

My family is such a blessings, but I really always thought it would be a complete family until death do us part. I have a lifetime of good friends, but miss having a spouse. My life is filled with good times and adventures with friends and family, but I thought I would share these golden years with a spouse.Do you get my drift--we are filled with "The Wants" and have a tendency to get a bad case of the whines. My eyes are on wonders all around and fail to see the beauty of what is right under my nose. I have excellent distance vision but things up close become fuzzy-especially when it comes to blessings. HEY--I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE!!I am discontent and disgruntled because this picture does not look the way I thought it should. And I will begrudgingly give lip service to how thankful I am for all I have---BUT I could be so much more thankful if I just had -------this one more thing. WHY NOT ME?We loose sight of the blessings we are lavished with and lack the faith to trust God in knowing what is best for us. We are at best marginally thankful - because this is NOT what I want--but instead what YOU GAVE ME! Oh Dear---back on my throne again. Forgive my challenge of your perfect plan, God, and fill me with thankfulness for all you have blessed me with. Help me, Lord, to get my eyes off my neighbor and instead keep my eyes glued on You. Remind me daily of all you have lavished upon me. Give me the deep sense of gratitude and praise for your boundless love and mercy. We will drift away from "Why Not Thanks" next week as we continue our search for the true spirit of Thanksgiving and explore "How to Exhibit Thanksgiving."

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.Hebrews 12:28-29

6 comments:

One thing I learnt in management is that employees often feel and believe that they should be earning £x a year and not what they are paid now. After negotiations we eventually reach a figure very much near the £x they wanted. This does not necessarily make the employees happy. They are no longer unhappy; but not necessarily happy. In a year's time they will again become unhappy and want more than what they are earning now. So they swing between two moods of being unhappy and no longer unhappy.

It is the same with us. No matter what blessings God showers on us (and He has plenty to me) we always ask for yet another favour. I wonder if He ever despairs with us. But then ... would a loving parent despair of His children? Would you?

Not being thankful is a common human ailment. My husband always asks me if I would like a little cheese with my whine. Brings me back to earth every time. Another wonderful lesson that makes me think.Hope your day is blessed. ~:)

Oh how truthful you are, sweet friend...we all whineeeeeeeeeeee (and laughing about Sparky because our husbands are so similar---however, I am the one who says that to him)---thank you for a beautiful post....

Can I just say....as you know, we only have one child...and he has never, ever acted out, never. We have tried to give him the best we could, etc...and he knows we are "poor"--so he really doesn't ask for much. However, that doesn't stop me...I am always on the lookout for the perfect this or that...there goes a little whining....anyways....sweet friend, you keep on with the truths.